16 June 1998
Letter delivered to Senate offices as HR1702 (Commercial Space Act
of 1997) was reported out of committee. The letter contains an
overview of the Act, in preparation for consideration by the full
Senate.

Dear Senator,

It seems every day that American
industry announces a new technological breakthrough. To keep pace
with these rapid developments, federal laws and regulations need to
be constantly updated. This is especially true for the aerospace
industry, and the reason behind the Commercial Space Act (H.R.
1702).

The companion bill has passed the
House and the legislation is now awaiting consideration by the full
Senate. The bipartisan bill contains a series of amendments to
modernize the Launch Services Purchase Act of 1990 and the Land
Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992. It also has provisions to
promote the commercial development of the International Space
Station, privatize the Space Shuttle, and promote the commercial
purchase of science data. Specifically, the legislation:

Establishes a regulatory framework
to license reusable launch vehicles (RLVs), such as the X-33 and
X-34, which are now in development by NASA and industry. Flight
tests of these spacecraft are scheduled in 1999 and cannot proceed
unless this legislation is enacted. The bill is also necessary to
support a new generation of hybrid launch vehicles under
development by private industry;

Requires NASA to generate a report
on how it plans to commercialize the International Space Station.
The Agency must identify the commercial opportunities -- including
potential costs savings and revenue -- for the operation, use,
servicing, and augmentation of the station, and list those
opportunities NASA plans to make available to commercial providers.
NASA also is required to submit to Congress an independent market
study that examines the potential industry interest in providing
commercial goods and services for the ISS;

Facilitates the licensing of remote
sensing technology to prevent bureaucratic delay and to ensure
America remains competitive in the global marketplace. Among its
provisions, the Commerce Department would be directed to publish a
list of requirements for applicants seeking a license to own and
operate a remote sensing satellite. And the Department would be
prohibited from seeking to enjoin a licensee from entering into a
foreign agreement unless the Secretary first transmits a
determination to the licensee that such participation is
inconsistent with national security or international
obligations;

Encourages the government to
purchase space science data from private industry, as well as
services and applications related to the processing of space
data;

Reaffirms that the Global
Positioning System (GPS) will be operated on a "continuous
worldwide basis free of direct user fees" and urges the President
to enter into international agreements to promote cooperation with
foreign governments and international organizations to establish
the GPS and its augmentations as an acceptable international
standard;

Requires the federal government to
purchase space transportation services from U.S. commercial
providers (exceptions provided for science payloads and other
circumstances), and plan missions, to the maximum extent
practicable, to accommodate the space transportation capabilities
of the U.S. commercial providers;

Requires NASA to complete a
feasibility study on privatizing the Space Shuttle and identify,
discuss, and, where possible, present options for resolving the
major policy and legal issues that must be addressed to accomplish
this goal, and;

Requires the Secretary of Defense to
prepare a report on America's total potential launch capability
(defense and civil sectors) through 2007, as well as determine the
deficiency of resources, if any, and the level of funding needed to
address them.

The Commercial Space Act is urgently
needed to ensure our commercial space industry remains healthy and
can successfully compete in international markets. The legislation
removes outdated references in current law. It streamlines
regulations, opens the door to new commercial opportunities, and
will create a stable economic environment so American industry can
flourish.

The National Space Society strongly
urges your cosponsorship and support of its immediate
consideration by the Senate. Delay is costing American jobs.
Industry is having to test new launch vehicles in other countries
because we do not have a licensing process in place. It is critical
to act on the bill at the earliest possible date. The legislation
has been carefully crafted to gain broad, bipartisan support. Its
timely passage will fuel new high-tech jobs and enhance America's
leadership in the commercial development of space.